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Dutch-born dancer (1876–1917), nee Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, whose renown as a performer was permanently overshadowed by her activities as a German spy during World War I, which led to her execution by firing squad at the age of 41. World War I-dated ALS in French, signed “Marguerite Lady Mac-Leod,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 6 x 7.5, October 27, 1916. Addressed from Paris, a handwritten letter to Persian diplomat and statesman Morteza Khan Momtaz al-Molk, in full (translated): “Today I had the pleasure of meeting our friend Samad Khan, who naturally was talking about you, and told me that you'd become Minister of Public Instruction. I give you my wholehearted congratulations. You know well that everything that regards you remains dear to me, as the memory of a great friend that you have always been towards me. His Excellency Samad reminded me of your words, when you had said to him ‘this woman will become something.’ Well my good friend, soon I hope to be able to give you good news. Be assured that you will be among the first to know about it. I wish you as much happiness as you can have in life. Keep me in good memories.” In fine condition, with minor splitting to the central horizontal fold. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in the hand of Mata Hari.
The letter is addressed to Morteza Khan Momtaz al-Molk (1865–1925), a Persian diplomat and statesman who had recently been appointed Minister of Public Instruction. Mata Hari signs as “Marguerite Lady Mac-Leod,” using the surname acquired through her marriage to Dutch colonial officer Rudolf MacLeod, a name she also used during her earliest Paris performances before achieving international fame as Mata Hari. Written from Paris in October 1916, the letter dates to the final year of her freedom: less than four months later, French authorities arrested her on charges of espionage and, following a highly publicized military trial, she was executed by firing squad on October 15, 1917. Her case remains one of the most debated espionage prosecutions of the First World War.
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